Archives and Records Management: The new, the old, and the dusty.

     This week we covered some interesting materials in our readings. First, I was introduced to the Statement of Principles for archivists. It is literally a list of principles in how to archive, maintain, and label records and collections. This listing was informative in really getting to the processing of archiving. It's almost best compared to an hors d'oeuvres: just a sampling, leaving you hungry for more. It was the perfect place to start for the rest of the readings.
     Next, I dove into Roy H. Tryon's Archivists and Records Managers. Of the two essays, I'm glad that I started with this first. Written in the late 1990's, Tryon's essay gives a short history of the AHA (American Historical Association,) of which sprung the SAA (Society of American Archivists, ca. 1936,) and from them came the ARMA (American Records Management Association, ca. 1956.) In addition, he compares and contrasts the duties of archivists and records managers: how they work together, how they don't work together, and how they depend on one another.
     A concern for them, as Tryon states, is that the digital age is taking over; presenting an ever increasing problem for archivists and record managers to maintain their current systems, while attempting to transition into newer technologies. He further states, that with technology there comes a need to show why their job is important and should be retained. It is a challenge for their work, but one it seems they are working hard to meet, as evidenced by the next article.
     The 2013 presidential address of the SAA sitting president, Gregor Trinkaus-Randall. Randall explains in his address their success, their works-in-progress, and their over all goals. He encourages archivists to continue their work, make themselves public, and engage with their communities. The concern of import of position addressed by Tryon, is again addressed some 20 years later. Randall closes by stating that archivists have been given this image of people in dusty backrooms and moldy basements, caring for records and archives of equal decay. He directs the archivists to again engage with their communities, promote their collections, and challenge the image that has been bestowed on them.
     Ultimately, this week was very interesting for me. For those who haven't figured it out, my passion lies in the built environment, particular vernacular building. Archivists are a job class that I had forgotten about. Shame on me. During my undergrad, current genealogical research, and preparation for presentations for my current field, I have conversed with archivists and records keepers almost weekly. I know many by name that this point. Yet, I have fallen into the category that many in society do: archives are dusty backrooms and moldy basements. Now, being an historian and nerd, obviously this isn't the least off-putting to me. It is, however, a misrepresentation of the work these professionals do every day. While my intent is not to go into archives, I do strongly encourage those who are to take Randall's advice: challenge the image and create your own.









Sources:
Hensen, Steven L. "Statement of Principles." Preface to Describing Archives: A Content Standard, Xv-Xix. Second ed. Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2004.                 

Trinkaus-Randall, Gregor. "SAA Presidential Address." In Society of American Archivists Conference. Proceedings of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The Archival Profession and Future Challenges, San Diego, California. 2012. 

Tryon, Roy T. "Archivists and Records Managers." In Public History: Essays from the Field, edited by James B. Gardener and Peter S. LaPaglia, 57-74. Revised ed. Malabar: Krieger Publishing Company, 2006.